Lacking a wow factor? Guys she had a leadership role in 7 different activities, a great GPA, and great test scores. If that isn’t “wow” by your standards, then what is, winning the Nobel prize?
The OP should pack her bags for Philadelphia.
@annana @merc81 Wow, I really appreciate all of the support! You guys definitely have more faith in my chances than I do! I’m trying not to get my hopes up because I know it’s extremely unlikely for anybody to get in. You guys are really really nice 
@varsitynerd “I am a white female. Is that a good or bad thing (if it really matters)?”
I responded to the post assuming you were a white female. I think your odds would be a little lower if you were an Asian male, but a little higher if you were a URM.
@annana “Lacking a wow factor? Guys she had a leadership role in 7 different activities, a great GPA, and great test scores. If that isn’t “wow” by your standards, then what is, winning the Nobel prize?”
I am just saying that she does not seem to have a hard hook. If she were a recruited athlete, have a special talent, or had won national awards, that usually trumps several good ECs. I don’t make this crazy process. I am just trying to give you the best opinion I can with limited information. She will know on Friday.
Having said that, she still has a solid application, and a good chance, but in my opinion, it is not certain. I wish that weren’t the case, but you have look at it from the school’s perspective. Penn is one of the world’s best universities and they will receive about 38,000 applications and only 2,420 places in the class. Most are solid applicants or they would not have applied. They have to make a lot of difficult decisions.
Brandeis seems worth looking into, as it is in the Boston area, has an acceptance rate over 30%, has rigorous academics, and an astronomical observatory. The social sciences are highly emphasized, so it would seem like a good fit academically speaking.
@DetroitLeper Thank you! I’ve heard good things about Brandeis before, and I’ll definitely consider adding it to my list of RD apps when I do more research!
Astronomy is often part of the physics department, rather than its own department, particularly at smaller schools. You can check each school’s astronomy and physics faculty and course offerings to compare.
I don’t think Tufts or Vassar can be considered matches either. Especially for a female. Tufts female acceptance rate was 14.9%, Male was 20.4%. according to the 2014-15 common data set.
Brandeis is easier to get into - female rate is 32.9%, male 38.7.
Vassar might be a match for a guy - 33.7% acceptance rate, vs 19% for women.
All these schools provide fine academics.
I agree with the suggestion to seriously consider some of the women’s colleges.
What about Barnard? It’s right in NYC, is a small liberal arts college, but with access to all of Columbia’s resources. It is expensive, and it’s certainly not a sure thing for you, but they ought to meet your financial need. I don’t know how Goucher is for astronomy, but you’d probably qualify for a very nice merit package, and they meet your criteria.
@varsitynerd – have you looked into Georgetown University? That seems to be a good fit (Political Science, northeastern city, rigorous) and they have decent financial aid packages from what I understand. I lived in DC for 10+ years and GU is in a great area, and it would place you right in the perfect location to pursue your government aspirations.
Yeah, but Georgetown isn’t really a “match” for many people. My daughter has very similar stats and ECs with an international competition award, and we consider Georgetown a reach.
Georgetown is a reach for everyone. GW would probably be a match. American likely a safety. American give out merit scholarships and has an honors program which can sweeten the deal.
American considers “level of applicant’s interest” to be “very important”, so it presumably does not want to be a “safety” for students aspiring to Georgetown and George Washington.
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=475
I really appreciate all of the responses, but I was accepted to Penn this afternoon! I am so shocked! Thank you for all of the advice anyway!
Congratuatlions varsity nerd!
American may not want to be a safety for Georgetown and GW students, but the fact is that it is for many. They accept lots and lots of them. They wanted my son a lot, and he thought there was a lot to like about American. He didn’t even apply to GW since he wanted more of a campus.
Happy for you, @varsitynerd.